“Ta -- NYS JAXS Supyl ‘ a) DAMES SUPE B- KWAY [79 DAMOS DISPOSAL AREA MONITORING SYSTEM ANNUAL DATA REPORT - 1978 SUPPLEMENT B PORTLAND DISPOSAL SITE Naval Underwater Systems Center Newport, Rhode Island WHO DOCUMENT COLLECTION New England Division Corps of Engineers Waltham, Massachusetts May 1979 MBL/ 0 0301 003 Mi MA 6838 5 AA DAMOS DISPOSAL AREA MONITORING SYSTEM ANNUAL DATA REPORT - 1978 SUPPLEMENT B SITE REPORT - PORTLAND Naval Underwater Systems Center Newport, Rhode Island New England Division Corps of Engineers - Waltham, Massachusetts May 1979 o 49 o §9 o lV | vg : < es D2 aS oye 45 i) 4 ° ZL o C/ Sexy Hoyouy — Sf ay Sle) Vv sl pratnlelss =, 2 IPT f ane UueADY pu¥PTs] 14 geey N 20K | u0jqueIg a drye3y6 4 ucqeog punoug [no u0zZ80g ag STPens jo 8[9] SNOTEVSOR Penis a | W3LSAS SNIYOLINOW : Acts” Sueprey Vauv IVSOdSId y Peesieoe ) DISPOSAL AREA MONITORING SYSTEM © This is one of a series of site specific data reports resulting from the DAMOS program, now two years in progress. DAMOS is the culmination of nearly a decade of prior study efforts, actually preceding NEPA, which have been directed towards the understanding of the effects of and the responsible management of the ocean disposal of dredged materials in New England waters as they fall wder the authority ot the New England Division of the Corps of Engineers. The individual site reports ghee. forth will be updated approximately on an annual bases as additional knowledge is gained, at least with respect'to those sites where signifi- cant disposal activities will have occurred. PORTLAND, MAINE Background The Portiand Disposal Area being studied by JAMOS has not yet been desig- nated as a regional disposal site. Prior to this report three major surveys nave been conducted in the area off Portiand to determine the best location for future disposal of dredge spoils. In 1974 Normandeau Associates studied a site north of Hue and Cry Vailey, and in: 1976 NUSC conducted a survey in the valley itself that resulted in a second proposed disposal area. When this point was Suggested to jocal fishermen it met with severe opposition and a third site in a «istorical disposal site north of the Portiand lightship was suggested. In August, 1977, NUSC conducted a broad bathymetric and side scan survey of the tnird site. Data from this survey were used to designate four potential sites within the area and these were presented to state, local and fishing representatives in November, 1977. At that meeting a location in the center of tne site was defined and the area incorporated into the DAMOS program as a one mile square centered at 43° 34.1'N, 709 1.8'W (Fig. B-1). Batnynetry Tais site was surveyea on 13 December, 1977, (Fig. B-2 (a-k)) and on 17 Mey, 1978 (Fis. 3-3 (a-n)). Navigation control for the site was provided by trisponder stations located at Portland Head Light and the Prouts Neck Fire Controi Station. Tne topography in tne area is extremely rugged and consists of bedrock cutcrocs surrounced by fine sand and mud (Fig. B-4). The side scan record Snown mere covers the area designated as the disposal site and clearly shows 1-9 OC Pe | GN 1TLYbd E 15 ——= : th SIHSLHS Ile Shino sal San) ANMWHD I ails >, eitZa Ne eYllsard eo asa ao” 5:53 ALIS alSMZuNe SHAD = area TSAI ate Sa ee gee ae) Sas rans ghee Sing dine fsa oer a females er a rs ea W> 9H ane HE J: (¥ a Wis MANE ‘il ZN WEGHES ND NTSda Oba iY ater SUS I et =) (be = Wy =) f 2 3) : nf | \ Es2 YAR Ak {. iS th ANU BOAh wy oas! — -y— --4 A — E 3nNuq wna! angi a a | CND X Mah! waz! wal age a ee ee es Se fle Ss Ya} ’4 =} Ah a) = A . ee D ee ee eee a ss- CW) X SE= Mahl Hac) Habit Awa aag Ah aaz ‘ 1%] —— a ee ee ae ee Rh eas Sse ee A NY eh = “si Z BNI CH) X . See Pos! 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Ano nae mag aah anz a ee ee eee eee Pe Se I Sh- 1) ANT CH) X ; SE- O08! 28098! OOhHl Baz! saa goa 0o9 ab anz a?) fe tt tt : ames vit catity7y : CHK pag! wat Oh! wmazt ape nue Bog aah naz a po ep fe 4 4 —__$_ 4 : ea & SN : : “+ CW) X , Mau! M49! -a@hi aazt wvaal. wae 4a9 - BA ef ee ef a ee Pe ff oj ee SS SS SSS —- = i SNH ane a Rh gt Ss! INU oon! - =-<-- --+4- = -—---—-- f+ --—-——- 4 —— = tal tt oH! 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Amat one! apo ane pong MAb poz “Signe te ac. — WAS- ' WH t MM) «© NOI Lusso 0u> 1 Lia | = i cars 5¢) a So Sse Sh SE= a $o- sS- Sthi—- 2Se.- -——_—_}-— —--—-+4 a8 h2 ANHO CH) x 28! 20931 BBhI wBaezt aaa nue nag aah on SS pt pe ee ee EZ ANHO CH> x 0001 O09! Goh! oazt aga’ “nu8 ang Aah af ee ee pe Ww See _ ee | ZZ 3ANuTG CW) xX : ued! 9A9l Bobi aazt waa uue naz So Ss) bee ee ee ee eee ee NN Ss- Sh- IZ ANUT CH) X Ses OHH! Ob9l Ohl oneazt wpaual alah =| wag Mah uaz esses) ee ca djessucs ef) See ecole seed) ee | = Ee en. SORA LT ee a Oa Se Waa Lon WUS- + IAN JILN! JNWW xal : NOT LUM aggHx a 1HD1 LYAA L026) “El NAAWSDaa “SW “IONHTLYOd ass Jes B2 ANY CW) X 008! aaa 744 adel Aawal 04aea 449 7a % tw) aa2z ff pf et tt tt Co ge. joe, SPF LA 42 ANY CW) X Opel 72a9 1 WB I. 0621 2001 02a ao0g9 4@HhH 002 ee ee ee SS oe SJNUD 40! 92 nnd! es es ah! nt ie on AauzZ! oS SZ SNWd Hirt Oo! @GAh! uae! CW) X aad CW) X aad! ane Se eee 08 4b9 OBt “wt He-9 Ze aN CW) x aaa! gas! adh aaa! uae ana aah naz a ee aya St ee a eae ie; Ss- A Sh- 1€& ANHT CW) X Se HOB 1 Hog! Hh! HHz2 1 008 | [%} a} =} 0n9 @0h B42 1} J see {hs ee ee ee J Ses eee th ee be Se ast eid SS Ss-- ANY Sh- Dieeinitaid CW) X see LyUted I 7019 1 AHH t AuZ1 [bi] ae 4ug Aah Had a | ‘ ot Feces {25 = Se ee Tae ans sa eee fons Sie nf “N =i Ny AN I AUS Ye ee Sh B2 ana CW) X =o J a oe | moa 1 ABH! “Bz! aaa Hoe 409 Mth UB2Z a ‘ =i) ee ee See SE ANHT CW) X Nfs Se he Pe fp }-—-—-_ 408 etehely AAH!I AMZ | vagal Ana 44g 48H AMZ 4) = —$ --- -—- - -—f#— NN ee — Se, SO nae Sh- SE J3NUT . CWD X- . SEH al Oil = | 009 1 Ah I A421 Maa! aja} =) yay ap2 | Ath 442 | eS (a ae a a a a io = a SS poe eee ; Sh- hE 3Nuq Fe CHD Xx ee Oh! bag MBI Haz! 4001 M48 449 OAh 2H2 ; 1") SGPC A) aes SPs 25 [oR ee Wee ee es Se Sao So -—-<-- See NS SS Ot pal PS 2 pone Sh- EE ah : Po oo F ae BOW! O089' 88h! waazt wana Yue 239 Ah WAS- '§ FTHAMSLN! SNWI4 ~All os NOLO ss4x a WD) LNaA 4/6) “FE! SAAWSDFAa AWN “GNH7TLYNOd Bun a Saye eae est) Sa Nepal See CW) X AGIs 1 “ac! uaa! 408 4E INIT all ol And! Cae Was -- PAGIP 0 INST YI alg LF beau = cence eat Hag OMh ah = ee aaa fad a aq Aah BE ANU CW) ae ri tata | AMS ela OH2! Hoa! O09 “ah ak oy es ae BE Anu CW) XK timid Haat lawl oad Hoag! ane O69 Hoth a =n a - ++ - HY = —-—— -_f- —-- ~— Yo-g a cue . at 3 ' 14 i || |i We PORTLAND. Mil NE Cae sea ee ©. Ree ep oe NEG Ga BEES Es ie HS S as > y1\ ige hy igs AWE Lott ¢ Bi s ee eas. B55 9 bh =3NH7 CW) xX. ately | maz! aan aaa nag aah a2 a as — De ee I Un Praca” % Ss Sh- E ANI CW) x See Bh! az! aoa ug8 Hag 24h anz a SI a ey =| sae S$ | wail Na Pe a L Ss- | Sh- 2 fia) ch> x — Hee Baht muzt onal uae nag Qh az a : eee —+— -——1 —-—. Sa a ) SIN CH) x ADK! onz! gear nes vag Oath anz rel i a ee eae —+ + —}—- —--4 = =— —+-—_—- —+4---—___4 - WOS—- *: AWHANILNI SNYT XII) 3 NOL LYN Feet x 4 1H I LYAn HAG 7A AUN “SAW /ONHWTLNGd 8 NHI cH) x Qn! oazi waant nua nas aah naz a sof ered] fe tt tt = Re NN [eg Nex Sss- ; Sh- 4 3Nuq4 CH) X ayn Aan! ganz! oes 208 2039 adh az a pe ee) ee ee | Sp SS i. ve sa- W sec RS aa a \ 3S- . Sh- §y 3NHT CW) x Ses wont mez! ount p08 20g 8h naz uo ee ee oo : Os 3 oa St : ; S5- “Sh- S 3NUT7 CW) x Seas vant wezt naa uae “ag aah naz ra = Se ttm ae VV" wm pnd™ ' vo Wy uN un wah “y Ss— ae Sh- TSE- 4 zi ANH CW) X OAH! 442! 4401 aaa 409 AWh OA2Z a a af} see ge ete lee a a ee PML \ — AN Sh- ,) 3NHO CW) x sce OHI 1%] =u | 4m 1 048 0ag OHh HAZ a er a eee 5 2 a ep = ON ee — ss- Shi- Bi oanud cH) x ee Fitts I yeaz! want t3 OHMt I ANd OBZ! 400! Wes— 1 JH CH) x "cof ave aug aya) oy naz “ = i} SNH CW) X BOHI Haz i 0081 408 409 Bt aa a nf 4 | fF Cae a SS eae ae a —— Co 44 ¢ Si 3JINH7 af a “xX BOhH 1! “uae ona! agg Qh and eS 4 —+4 fe solos as a th I SNH CW) X ‘ec QBMh 1 Adz! aug! 048 449g Ban BMidg fe ee pt -—4— — + ————__ 1 —_——_ —t—_ ——-—$-— --——- ——¢ —-——— ae — —«--—_+_ —___++-—-----——= ¥ | peor = ss- \ Sh- El 3HwW4 CW) X SE- DUI O4aZ 1 aaol m8 849 OH Ouz a a ee ee ee ee ! =— NS ee ee st NAA ee | Ss8- = yf SS Sh- SE — WAS—- = 7 XM! «© NOlLHYI9S — ——-—+4 -- ah, MZ ANH CH) xX Mont az Aa BOB gua = tt —t—*4 4 -- | 6) INH CW) X a OAnt waz neal uae 209 “ah a a EE ae A atet SAYA Alo ano ee: CW) x HAH! w4azt want oan aaa AO - od) 2sce= sofia Sa edo “4 SNHW1- 7 CW) xX ae) | Hadi aoa eS 8 INIT) a a fos --—~-~-~-4 6 steers ee eh = Jée-g sees aaa = ca ean oc ‘ sS- Sh- iss= MA ve SY ‘To Se hz 3INHYT CW) X Wan! 1" "|r | aaa 1 aae8 440g ie Se pS =f} ++ -- eg UN te EZ INWW CW) X Ab I 0021 m00 1 one | 449 se Se eae tes uf a aa cz 3NYT CW) X OWI 4AaZz 1 audi O08 409 Qh Bud ee ees | pe =" Ala soeasne Re a -t r=4 3NW7 CW) xX BAH! maz2' waa moa aag 2a auz { | ~ fp = 4 —____ 4 —_. 4 —_-- 4 — 4 —-— - vi ih ia ahh Ces I ie a WOS- « TWANSLNI ANH XO! © NOILYUNSS9O4xXS AHDILNGA A/6 1 7LAV ABW “AW ZIONHITLYNOe 82 3NH7 CW) x MAHI gazt oat gag gag aah waz a =e eee a Pe SS ae ee Cee eS “Sh BOSS ee veh oe Aeon ae Pry gee Sh- LZ 3NH7 CW) X Se= QGht gazi waa age aug Bah waz a ee ey 7 : ey ae See 4° Pss- Sh- gz 3NUT CW) x eee Oth! wazi aaa 228 vag raat waz ] eer wa et a eh Li Ae DS ess lest SZ NUT CH) x i MCh! aozt! aaa nue ugg Uh wuz 0 es ee ee eee 4 af —4- eT ee poe eS a ey for" (apf \ -——w/ 4 LAW % a Mey) Se 3s3- Sa See WO2S- + THANALNI 3NHT XH1 +» NOILUNSS94xXS TJHDILYSA ALB! 72! AW “SW 7ONGTLNOd h2Z SNH CW) X Wh! a =a | maa 1 408 Hag HOH MHZ a 4$—-——-—-— — —— 4 HH OAC el ee ey pe ‘ NA Me WHAS- =: THANALNI JIN K2@to¢ NOI LUN SSSYxXS WWD! LYaA BLBI 7LI Ath “AW “ONY T1La0d Yo-@ “529 x i ies =e os the unconsolidated sediment in the basfn indicating fine material and a low energy environment, The December survey indicated that the proposed disposal site is a depression outlined by the 60 meter contour level just south of the chart center. A smaller area was covered in the May survey since the rugged topography of tre area would certainly prohibit detectior of small amounts of spdil depos- ited at significant distances from the disposal point. The proposed disposal site was again evident as a basin fn the center of the bathymetric chart. The basin can be seen in profite on Janes 11 throuch 14 of the May survey (Fig. B-3 (c + d}). Currents Long term current measurements were obtained at 430 34'N, 70° 02'W in the center of the proposed disposa! area, The meter was installed on a taut wire mooring 1.5 meters above the bottom and recorded at 2 minute intervals from 5 August to 26 September 1978. The speed and direction versus time, probability density cistribution and motion ellipses for these data are presented in Figure B-5 ‘a-d}. Note that the probability density distribution and motion ellipses are cumulative se that the distribution and e?lipse on the final figure (8-5d) reoresants the entire data record, “se data for the Portland current meter record are summarized in Taole B-1. Theres are several sionificant features shown by these data that reflect on the utilization cf the Portland disposal site as a containment site for dredge spoil . disposa’. Most impowtant of these fs the horizontal kinetic energy, which at Porttard, has the lowest value measured in all the New England disposal sites. TABLE B-1 | Total 028.4 Tidal Cur- j Residual Mean rent Inc. Current §{ Mean Current Current 4 Seni-major axis i ‘ 3.50 3.54 (cm/sec ) Ha War Gead! | Semi-minor axis | : i (cm/sec) i ee 0.87 1.52°°4 Direction or) ony oe), 4) cn | | ! Horizontal Kinetic 6 | i i energy (dynes/sec ) | " 1.45 10% Highest speeds (cm/sec) Peak speed (cm/sec ) 4 Average maximum | speed (cm/sec) Furthermore, wnen this energy ng broken down into the tidal and residual compon- ents, tie rancom motion is actually greater than that due to tidal forces. Al- tnough cne lower percentage of tidal fiow would reduce the potential for predic- tion ov Currents, the iower absolute value of the currents is well below any threshold values for erosion of sediment. rne 10% hignest speed measured during this sampling perfod was 13.6 cm/sec, also 5ciow threshold erosion velocities. Wave action should have minimal effect poet Rey eserty ow 2) Ty “plow tre oh rr ef: Pee ul 7° oH Be ML BL 7° Of S “AW 7 ONH1LHOd (SAHQ) SWIL ty nail a iy at ane fl ear es re zy © J3S/H) BS | [A ieee BL 7° OnH S 0a: 88 Sr (| avers as QO °@) AS! 394570) & © IHAUSINI 62205 32 = “HAURLNE & t=} lA af (335/hW)) Q33d5 # Sh B AS 3c) eC i Baz p42 raven at) | Sc) | Uf r | t CSAHQ) ANIL 335/H) BS CBP Aaah 8 tA Wd BL 7°1d35 hb OL AL “Sn B2 “AWN “CNH VLNOd = ei | | | | | i MA ie ae f ! | \, P a ' We A | 1 4 3248/H) 2 @ TWANBINI 4330S BL 2° onu BZ 24:48 2= = WAYSLNI 3 @° Sh (235/W2) 03305 BL 7° 1d35 hb 62:88 HF TUR ORES tap "4 a ¢ - 2FGND BS 456/49 B = TUANIINI 633405 NA eh Ae Me, NN I~] La a (235/H>) 03305 SZ = THASGLNI 3 gi. 7° td95 bi U1 AL 4 1daSh “4M “ONHTLNOd : ‘ eee a ay VHA AN Wy | Mk 5 93¢€) wld 4 gs Ss 5 mM Ca es CSAUQ) SWIL Z AS a 4s ahs aes Se ee ee a ee QL 4’ td3S Y2 OL AL ¢ 1d45 Gl “aH 7ONH7LUOd ee eres ae eet eet aH ati 3335/4) WS ee. GL ’ 1d35 61 60:28 4 4h -235/H) @ = TWANSINI 03305 32 = THABSLNI & aS! €235/W)) G33c5 on the sediment since depths at the proposed disposal site are greater than 60 meters. The net result of these data is a strong indication that the Portland disposal area should contain dredge spoils with little danger of dispersion. Sediments Sediments taken from the propsed disposal site were generally fine sands, therefore, heavy metal analysis was generally not attempted on these samples. One sample from the site was analyzed and is presented with data from Portland Leber in Table B-2, There are no reference samples due to the fact that all areas except the proposed site are composed of rock and gravel. Iron to other metal ratios are presented for the Portland samples, There appears to be no enrichment in metal levels compared to fron in the harbor, The harbor samples are however, more concentrated in all metals (including Fe) compared to the proposed dump site. Biochemical Studies Mussels from Bulwark Shoals were used as reference samples and placed at | the proposed Portland disposal site on May 14, 1978 at 43° 33' 55.5"N, 70° 01' 58.3"W. Data from analyses of these samples are presented in Table B-3 and shown graphi- cally in Fig. B-6, The only metals exhibiting any significant differences from the original sample are Feand Cd from the reference site. A lack of difference between the baseline station and the proposed disposal area is significant since it indicates that changes occurring after disposal may be attributed to dredge spoil interactions with more confidence. or 4q Atdpatnu sonpea o4 TTVy ” A pu Caz lites, ct Leos 9u¢ QB va ce" toqrey Hdd a O°oT 701 SE. 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VEOED | uS'SGrEE0EV | u£00, peoky (846 L/AeN/BL w£°0S1 LOOOL| nS S21 20002 ano talatye |e ar 2 02 He nb GyiSeoev | uwSSiCEoev n€OC, ¥foey 1226L/290/St savuo | Saggqyg | Le co ec | COC en ee SIIdNVS JIHLNIG STISSNN S3IdNYS DINING SyaSSin INQUaNO Alva 3LIS FININIIIY PYLTS WsddSt0 a) “nue! qdod "ais SNOTLVIO1 JIdWYS e2-g FSV Bab Portland © Current Meter &) Mussel] Cage @ Benthic Samples TaBce 3-5, Aw Mevac CONCENTRATIONS (PPM) iN MoDIoLUS MODIOLUS FROM BULWARK SHOALS _SPLOYED AT PORTLAND DISPOSAL SITE (NORTHERN New ENGLAND), Date LOCATION © CR Cy Ho =. Pe Zn Ce 8=15-/7 Burwark SHoars =X 12,79 “1:77 30535 07558" 16.17 458 152 S.D. -5.96 0,39 5 Owen sl M1s7 38 5-14-78 eC UCT Csi Sey 05/5 OZ CO ae) Sale VONse 8 Aas) (02 Ll 14 S5-/8 | L075, 55. OO Oe) ee 572 eS Spa EOS hes wend LOS. G.83) ¢ 8-5-/8 PO TLAND e200) 1 25 CeO neComemmcmsa 850 || (208 SH TEL Sey Ese hes ep 2,25) 9 14 Bentnic Macrofaune Numeric density data for the predominant species of benthic animals found at te Portland site are given in Table B-4. Details on the benthic population are at O) ib We ) Ws Ss SS O EF i\\ \e He 8-4 shelte- areas for fish (juvenile cod are reportec between the "edge of the bottor"™ and Cod Ledges). Dragging grounds are areas smooth enough to fish on and may be located near a feature which eoveentntess fi grattitg fish. Subtle pollution effects would be more important on feecing grounds than on a cragging ground such as the "edge of the bottom” where fish are concentrated by a sudden change in depth. iy | The sport fisheries et ents area include some bottom fishing from party boats on the White Horse grounds southwest of the dump site and a wider rang- ing fishery for giant tuna. A tendency of einer cross Casco Bay in the "edge of the bottom” area was reported. Shrim: “he "edge of the bottom" and the "inner edge" have been productive grounds for northern shrimp. It was reported that this area still ytelded catches when shrimp had disappeared from other areas of the coast. The shrimp fishery is now closed. The shrimp fishery is based on egg carrying females. Eggs probably hatch in this general area. Lobs ters The proposed disposal site is offshore of mast of the Casco Bay lobster fishery, Most of the vessels begin fishing in less than 70 meters of water in the late spring as lobsters move shoreward toward warmer water. Fishing is most intenca “1 mid-summer in water Tess than 20 meters deep around the Cod Ledges t+ *ha disposal site lobstering is carried out from November to April when abst vs ara not active in the colder sha’’ow waters. The deep water also gives spar procaction from storm waves. 2rices are high at this time, but weather conditions are dangerous, and it is hard to keep a regular schedule. A lobsterman who had to leave his gear in the deeper water over the summer of 1977 because he was rigged for deep water found that some lobsters remained there throughout the summer. He pulled them once a week and caught about half what shallow water drags would have caught in a mania three-day set (0.5-0.7 lobsters/trap rather than 1.1-1.5 lobsters/trap). In the offshore area the lobsters shed in the fall rather than mid-summer. One fisherman reported that rock crabs (Cancer borealis) are not found this far out. Another reported catching "queen" or "spider" crabs (Lithodes maia) in deeper parts of the area. In 1977 there were three lobstermen making use of the proposed site in the winter (from Portland, South Harpswell, and Baily Island). At least three more have fished near this area in previous years. All the lobstermen fishing here may run as many as 3,000 pots although one man has the majority of pots. Typ- ical pot spacings are 1- pot strings set in lines of 100-110 pots per mile run- ning NE-SW. It is thus possible that several hundred pots could be placed in the proposed disposal site. One person fishing the dump site area in 1977 will not be fishing there in 1978. While there is a possibility of one or two vessels moving into the area in 1978, the number of vessels fishing the site will remain small.- Lobster landing atPortland have been slowly increasing in recent years, but this probably represents an expansion of effort rather than an increase in productivity. Lobstermen report that their catches in deep water have been stable over up to seven years. It would probably be possible to detect large local changes in lobster density caused by spoil disposal. The monthly landings show “nat she winter (deep water) catch is a sma"? fraction of the annual tota?. In many disposal areas Chen dumping is advisable to avoid interference with recreation and fisheries; at this site summer dumping (May-October) would minimize impact on the offshore lobster fishery end draagers.. Tow boats wou'd have to follow a fixed route so that pots could be placed to avoid them. Ae j es A i 1) ‘ ay i Yueh (